I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

[MikeyBob365]

below is an add i found:
"14 ft. Jon Boat for sale. 15 horse Mariner outboard. Minn Kota trolling motor. Eagle fish finder. Front of boat is decked out, for fishing platform. Underneath is storage for life jackets tackle, battery for lights, and fish finder.Life jackets and battery included. New trailer, with new tires. Boat is tagged and ready to go."

i called the guy and asked him about it...
-boat is from '88
-engine was bought around the same time
-there is a small crack, its not leaking it just cant take too rough of water(says no more than $20 for that repair)
-the battery only has to be recharged

anything else i should call him about?

and because my parents aren't into boating they're thinking because its from '88 its a complete scam and won't float too much longer... i don't feel like they're right because i know boats are a lot different than cars, but i am also a teenager so i always feel that way! but maybe the fishfinder and trolling motor or just making me oversee that! but opinions on the age of boats would be greatly appreciated!

just an FYI before anyone calls me a spoiled teenager... i earned all this money from my tips alone, working at a car wash this summer

thanks in advance
MikeyBob

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

below is an add i found:
"14 ft. Jon Boat for sale. 15 horse Mariner outboard. Minn Kota trolling motor. Eagle fish finder. Front of boat is decked out, for fishing platform. Underneath is storage for life jackets tackle, battery for lights, and fish finder.Life jackets and battery included. New trailer, with new tires. Boat is tagged and ready to go."

i called the guy and asked him about it...
-boat is from '88
-engine was bought around the same time
-there is a small crack, its not leaking it just cant take too rough of water(says no more than $20 for that repair)
-the battery only has to be recharged

anything else i should call him about?

and because my parents aren't into boating they're thinking because its from '88 its a complete scam and won't float too much longer... i don't feel like they're right because i know boats are a lot different than cars, but i am also a teenager so i always feel that way! but maybe the fishfinder and trolling motor or just making me oversee that! but opinions on the age of boats would be greatly appreciated!

just an FYI before anyone calls me a spoiled teenager... i earned all this money from my tips alone, working at a car wash this summer

thanks in advance
MikeyBob

Thats not even that old. Should still be in good shape as long as the engine runs strong and you happy with it and can afford it go for it. About the crack its hard to tell without seeing pic. maybe post some pic of that or tell him youll give him a extra 20 from the agreed price and he can fix it.

 

[14bassguy]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

below is an add i found:
"14 ft. Jon Boat for sale. 15 horse Mariner outboard. Minn Kota trolling motor. Eagle fish finder. Front of boat is decked out, for fishing platform. Underneath is storage for life jackets tackle, battery for lights, and fish finder.Life jackets and battery included. New trailer, with new tires. Boat is tagged and ready to go."

i called the guy and asked him about it...
-boat is from '88
-engine was bought around the same time
-there is a small crack, its not leaking it just cant take too rough of water(says no more than $20 for that repair)
-the battery only has to be recharged

anything else i should call him about?

and because my parents aren't into boating they're thinking because its from '88 its a complete scam and won't float too much longer... i don't feel like they're right because i know boats are a lot different than cars, but i am also a teenager so i always feel that way! but maybe the fishfinder and trolling motor or just making me oversee that! but opinions on the age of boats would be greatly appreciated!

just an FYI before anyone calls me a spoiled teenager... i earned all this money from my tips alone, working at a car wash this summer

thanks in advance
MikeyBob

I know what your in. I was too. On a different site i became well known and when i told them my age, they didn't believe me. I'm 12 and own a 14' sea king, with a trailer and 7.5 elgin. I ain't spoiled either, i mow lots a lawns

 

[JoLin]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

below is an add i found:
"14 ft. Jon Boat for sale. 15 horse Mariner outboard. Minn Kota trolling motor. Eagle fish finder. Front of boat is decked out, for fishing platform. Underneath is storage for life jackets tackle, battery for lights, and fish finder.Life jackets and battery included. New trailer, with new tires. Boat is tagged and ready to go."

i called the guy and asked him about it...
-boat is from '88
-engine was bought around the same time
-there is a small crack, its not leaking it just cant take too rough of water(says no more than $20 for that repair)
-the battery only has to be recharged

anything else i should call him about?

and because my parents aren't into boating they're thinking because its from '88 its a complete scam and won't float too much longer... i don't feel like they're right because i know boats are a lot different than cars, but i am also a teenager so i always feel that way! but maybe the fishfinder and trolling motor or just making me oversee that! but opinions on the age of boats would be greatly appreciated!

just an FYI before anyone calls me a spoiled teenager... i earned all this money from my tips alone, working at a car wash this summer

thanks in advance
MikeyBob

Unless I missed it, you didn't say what he's asking for it. Couple red flags:

1. If the battery only needs a recharge, why doesn't he recharge it? Because the battery won't hold a charge, and needs to be replaced, that's why.

2. If it's only a $20. repair, why doesn't he repair it? Because it isn't a $20. repair, that's why.

I hate to see a young person get ripped off. Is there anyone knowledgable who can check it out with you?

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

Unless I missed it, you didn't say what he's asking for it. Couple red flags:

1. If the battery only needs a recharge, why doesn't he recharge it? Because the battery won't hold a charge, and needs to be replaced, that's why.

2. If it's only a $20. repair, why doesn't he repair it? Because it isn't a $20. repair, that's why.

I hate to see a young person get ripped off. Is there anyone knowledgable who can check it out with you?

yeah some good points... i think i'm not even gonna bother with this guy and just go around a close by lake with someone i know who knows boats pretty well

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

I dont know... all in all its not a bad looking little boat.. if the guy is nice, and willing to negotiate, you may still be ok...

Have him flat out replace the battery... that isnt that much of an investment.. you will want to test run the motor, and sea trial the boat at the very least, (need to know if you like how it performs).

Where is the small crack??? If it was like my tinny, it was at the corner braces from the transom to the top rail of the gunwale... I just had a local metal fabrication facility weld it up (aluminum welding), and it has been fine ever since... however it wasnt 20 bucks, if I remember correctly it was more like 75.00, (but still wasnt too terrible).

If he is willing to repair the crack, and replace the battery, let you sea trial the boat, and most importantly the price is right, then you can still go for it...

Its entirely up to you though.

Good luck

 

[freelancer]

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

Unless I missed it, you didn't say what he's asking for it. Couple red flags:

1. If the battery only needs a recharge, why doesn't he recharge it? Because the battery won't hold a charge, and needs to be replaced, that's why.

2. If it's only a $20. repair, why doesn't he repair it? Because it isn't a $20. repair, that's why.

I hate to see a young person get ripped off. Is there anyone knowledgable who can check it out with you?

My thoughts exactly, take your time skipper and do a little more homework on that boat and maybe others as well. I know how it is when you taste the blood your ready to bite, I got my first boat with my own money at the age of 14, and I really didn?t know all to look for at that age. I hope you?re better at it than I was? good luck.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I'm not too sure... help a newbie out?

Focus on the motor and ignore the toys (you know, like how soccer moms buy cars based on juice box holders?). At that size, you're buying a motor that happens to come with a trailer and boat--which is good, because almost any boat or trailer problems you can fix (exception--if you will regularly trailer long distance on highways, then focus on the trailer too).
For a fresh water boat, 1988 is new.
The motors are also the point of aggravation so be dedicated to how you treat your gas. Fuel is a four letter word now.
If you live in a boating area, spread the word around that you're looking. You may spot one in a neighbor's back yard that he hasn't used in a while and might give you a great deal to take it (I just landed a killer deal that way). Knock on some doors. But if you get one that hasn't been run have a game plan to address it. Talk to a mechanic first about what he'll charge to help you out.
I half-way disagree about getting the seller to fix stuff, b/c if you adjust the price and do it yourself you'll know it's done right. But few sellers on an "as is" deal are going to buy you a new battery or adjust the price, so plan on buying one anyway.
Good luck--you are starting at the right age. Be responsible and respect the water and you will have a great time.